Hilda West
(in conversation with her son, Richard West,)
I was eighteen when war was declared, living at home in Buckden with my parents Mabel and Ted, and older sister Dorothy, soon to be married. The only source of information was the radio and the local paper, The Hunts Post. Soon announcements on radio and in the local paper changed the life of everyone.
I had been working in the local shop, Lofts in the High Street, before being told to cycle to Huntingdon to work for Chives, a company who canned vegetables and fruit. Working at the factory, I met my husband Jack, married and had a son, Richard. Thinking back, I worked nights and rested during the day.
All young fit men in the village were called up to serve in the armed services and were fighting in France or other countries. This caused concern for family members and friends. I recall that when on leave they did not speak too much about their activities. There was the saying ‘’ talk costs lives‘. The village memorial reads that sixteen lost their lives which with a small population brought war home to Buckden.
The Government decided each home would have evacuees from the London blitz. We had two, Roger and Keith, who flourished, and the family were in touch until 1976.There was rationing, and we were given a book with coupons in to ensure we wasted nothing.
Thinking back there was a community spirit caring for each other. A dance was arranged in the village hall, which was previously the Rifle Range, now the Burberry Almshouses. The older ladies helped during childbirth and at the end of life. Produce was grown in any space that was available, such as garden allotments, and was shared in the community.